Thousands mourn detective Jeremiah MacKay, killed by Dorner

A military honor guard march during funeral services for San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Jeremiah MacKay, Thursday Feb. 21, 2013 in San Bernardino, Calif. Thousands of law enforcement officers from across the Southwest gathered Thursday to pay tribute to this Southern California detective killed in the violent conclusion of the manhunt for fugitive former police officer Christopher Dorner. (AP Photo/Tami Abdollah)

SAN BERNARDINO -- The sound of bagpipes rose out of the San Bernardino mountains Thursday, paying tribute to a fallen deputy who was killed in the hills above and who had honored many others taken in the line of duty before him, in much the same way.

Thousands of law enforcement officers from across the Southwest gathered to honor to San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Jeremiah MacKay, who was killed in the violent conclusion of the manhunt for fugitive former police officer Christopher Dorner.

Bagpipers played as motorcyclists with American flags lined the roads outside and a procession of patrol cars slowly drove the last few miles into the San Manuel Amphitheater on a brisk cloudy morning.

Officers stood at attention and saluted as MacKay's coffin, draped with an American flag, was escorted through the outdoor amphitheater by deputies from MacKay's Yucaipa station. MacKay's family and friends followed, joined by four sheep dogs and a rider-less horse.

MacKay, 35, was a husband and father of two who had been with the Sheriff's Department for 15 years. Authorities say he became the fourth and final person Dorner killed.

MacKay was shot by Dorner Feb. 12 after following him to a mountain cabin that later went up in flames. Dorner's remains were found inside.

"Jeremiah MacKay stood for good against evil," San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said at the two-hour service. "Jeremiah was a man who made his uniform. His uniform did not make him."

MacKay was a bagpiper and sergeant at arms of the Inland Empire Emerald Society. He often played in remembrance of other officers.

On Thursday, they played for him. Family and friends remembered "Jer" as a man with a big deep laugh, who never took himself too seriously -- as evidenced by the pink Hello Kitty lunchbox he would tote to work. He loved his job, and especially his family. MacKay married the love of his life, Lynette two years ago, and was dad to stepdaughter Kaitlyn Denny, 6, and a 4-month-old son, Cayden.

Lynette MacKay and Kaitlyn sat silently sobbing as McMahon knelt down to say a few words and present the flag. Three shots rang out from the honor guard as "Taps" was played; 10 helicopters flew overhead into the San Bernardino mountains where MacKay met his end.

MacKay followed his father, retired San Bernardino County Fire Department Capt. Alan MacKay, into public service, graduating from the academy as one of the department's youngest deputies on his 21st birthday.

Though he initially considered the Fire Department, MacKay decided on another kind of badge because he didn't just want to serve the public, his father Alan MacKay said Thursday.

Best friend Roger Loftis related only a few tales of MacKay because most were "rated R," he told the crowd.

He explained the sheep dogs, which flanked him as he spoke. Loftis said MacKay thought good people trying to live a "good honest life" were like sheep and "had to be protected from evil people who will feed on the flock without mercy."

"To be a sheep dog one must have a capacity for violence, but a strong love for your fellow man," Loftis said. "Jeremiah was a man like that."

Loftis said MacKay had told him he was going to get Dorner and volunteered day after day to help in the search. Loftis said he knew MacKay would succeed. "But we paid a hell of a price," he said.

After volunteering daily for lengthy shifts helping patrol the mountain in search of Dorner, Jeremiah MacKay was asked by his wife, Lynette, to spend Monday, Feb. 11, at home with the kids; he did so without hesitation, McMahon said. The next day MacKay was killed by Dorner as the fugitive ex-cop hid out in a cabin where he made his last stand before dying amid a blaze of fames by an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

MacKay was one of two law enforcement officers killed by Dorner. A funeral was held last week for a Riverside city police officer who authorities say was killed by Dorner in an earlier ambush. Friends said MacKay would have played the bagpipes at that officer's funeral if he could have. MacKay's partner, deputy Alex Collins, was injured by Dorner's gunfire; Collins underwent multiple surgeries and continues to recover from his injuries.

At the end of Thursday's service an officer's voice sounded over the amphitheater loud speaker, officers wiped their eyes and bowed their heads: "This is the last call for Det. Jeremiah Alan MacKay."

MacKay's father, Alan, thanked everyone for their support during an "overwhelming" time for the family.

"I know I will see my son again," Alan MacKay said. "This is not 'goodbye,' this is 'see you later, Jeremiah."'